"Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10 NIV The "Our Father" (as it is affectionately called) is a carefully-crafted prayer given to us by Jesus himself showing us how to pray. Today we unwrap the important component of God's work in and through us bringing heaven to earth. "YOUR KINGDOM COME" . . . Each moment we live is either step toward or away from God's kingdom coming to this earth. As His children, we move through life following the way set out before us. Decisions, opportunities, disappointments and changes grow us into our purpose here on this earth." For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring' ."Acts 17 :28 NIVPRAYER: LORD, live and move and have your being in me!"YOUR WILL" . . . If there is one thing, other than ability, that an athlete must have it is the "will to win". This is a strong and driving factor in the world of competition. The desire to win is obvious and can be readily seen as the player moves about the playing field or court and is often referred to as "fierce".God's will is not a secret . . . it can be seen, often fiercely, as we move through the moments of life. Some spend a lifetime seeking out the "will of God" while it remains right in their grasp. It is not illusive, He wants us to know Him for in knowing Him we understand His nature and His will."When God's will is your will and your will is God's will - all will be well." Sheila Schuller ColemanJust as Christ gave himself over to his Father's will and died to cover our sins, we give ourselves over to God's will resting in the knowledge that all will be well for He has a "will to win". Then with a settled heart we can say . . ."My heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord."Psalm 112:7"BE DONE ON EARTH" . . . As Sportmoms we long to see our athlete child develop his or her skill to it's fullest. We point them toward a noble and worthy sport and lift them up when the losses come. It is our will for them to succeed. In the same way, God develops our will into His using everything around us to make us into His likeness making us ready for the work He has planned. "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."Ephesians 2:10 NIV"AS IT IS IN HEAVEN" . . .The place where God lives is perfectly functional . . . no dysfunction there. As followers of Christ, we have a built-in desire toward the eternal perfect place that is ours when this life is over. But while we are here we are the hands and feet of Christ carrying out the will of our Father -doing earthly tasks for eternal purposes. Paul encouraged Timothy to do this when he wrote these impacting words: "I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone living and dead...so keep on your watch...don't ever quit...keep it simple." 2 Timothy 4:1-2 (portions) The Message

A quick reminder is heard quite often when my grand children are around. They are encouraged to notice how good one of the siblings is doing something and tell them. They naturally migrate toward seeing the imperfect world they live in so it takes some extra training to give them the opportunity to be "willing praisers" for those who are praise worthy. "We need to hear praise coming from outside ourselves or we won't remember that we deserve it."Barbara Sher, career counselor and best selling author Fans at our athlete's games are willing praisers. They clap and hoot when there is a splendid play or goal with no constraint or timidity. Every so often there is a willing-praise shout out encouraging a player after a missed goal or infraction ..."You're okay - it's all right - hang in there!" Praising on the down side can be difficult and may take some practice. David, the man after God's own heart, recounted the down side of life pleading for God's protection:"I have suffered much; preserve my life, LORD, according to your word."Psalm 119:107 Then he took the next step - he asked the Lord to honor his praise offered despite unwanted circumstances . . . "Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws."Psalm 119:108Willing praise leads to living God's way more completely. We must guard against being hot in prayer and cold in praise remembering that as we willingly praise we will experience the increase of Christ in and around us. "He must increase, but I must decrease."John 3:20 KJV Blessings . . . as you praise willingly today. For more go to the BEHIND THE BENCH blog today titled "ANOTHER LOOK AT WILLING PRAISE".TO COMMENT CLICK ON "COMMENTS" AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS ENTRY.

Being "at the ready" is required for the military, for any sport competition and for facing each new day of life.Coach often tells this story about his first football training. As the team lined up for practice his coach belted out for them to "get in their stance". Then he walked down the row illustrating the defect in some stances and the correctness of others. As he came to one with his feet very wide apart, he ran past with the football asking that player to catch him. In the time it took for the player to get out of his too-wide stance the coach and ball were long past him. Moving on the coach gently bumped a player whose feet were not far enough apart causing him to lose his balance which compromised his "at the ready" stance. The coach's point was understood - in the right stance a player is at the ready allowing the player to withstand the hits and the ability to respond to the ball. Just as an athlete dons the appropriate stance for the required play, we sportmoms must be "at the ready" for whatever the plans are for this day. Is your stance lined up with those plans? Being ready for what we know is coming means more than half of the day is won! Our worship also requires an AT THE READY stance. Thankfully, it is built into our very being propelling us toward our God. As coach Joe Gibbs said in one of his Game Plan for Life devotionals,"People are naturally wired to worship." Worship is adoring, bowing before in reverence, showing intense love or admiration. This longing to worship is evidenced by our insatiable desire to glorify our winners. This desire, however, can only be fully met as we give praise and adoration to the One who made us . . . "God gave them the law of Moses and the right way of worship . . . (He) is God over all. Praise him forever!"Romans 9:4-5NCV

About the Author... JANET BROWN

As a veteran coach's wife, Janet invites you to join her in "Changing the world for Christ...one athlete at a time".Through the language of sports and life experiences, Janet uniquely exposes the character of God and His desire for "sportmoms" to WIN BIG in life. Her behind-the-bench view invites us into a world of triumphant wins and tragic personal loss.

LIFE EXPERIENCE

From being a mother of 2 to a spiritual mom to many, the road of life for Janet includes these hallmarks:

- Gave her "heart to Jesus" at 6 years old.- Studied Education/ Psychology at a Christian College